Bikefest arrests, warnings issued by Horry County Police down in 2016

By Ian Cross and Lisa Gresci| June 1, 2016 at 5:17 PM EST - Updated July 24 at 6:40 PM

HORRY COUNTY, SC (WMBF) – The total number of arrests and warnings made by Horry County police during Bikefest are down in 2016 compared to the previous year, according to statistics released Wednesday by the county.

Between May 23 and May 30, 2016, Horry County police made 25 arrests and issued 26 warnings. This is compared to 39 arrests and 322 warnings in 2015.

There was a total of 245 daily cases during the 2016 Bikefest and 174 calls for service.

Those at the Horry County Emergency Operations Center were working around the clock over the weekend and the numbers weren't the only improvement noticed so far.

"This weekend, we really saw an improvement in communication which was a focus that we had from last year's event, making sure we were communicating clearly and knew what was going on not only with emergency management but also the agencies that were in here and the emergency operations center," said Brooke Holden, communications specialist for Horry County Emergency Management.

Holden added the emergency operations center was filled with representatives from law enforcement, fire rescue, the National Weather Service, the state Department of Transportation and a backup dispatch center over this weekend.

All agencies had one goal in mind, which was relaying what was happening all over the county to not only first responders, but the public as well.

"We had situational awareness," Holden said. "We were using tools that we have to get a better understanding of what was happening out in the field so we can do what needs to be done here ... to plan and prepare for that."

Though this was a 24-7 effort this weekend, Holden said it has really been a year in the making.

"Throughout the entire year, we were planning with the agencies we work very closely with over the weekend," she said. "So we were able to make sure that first responders were at the unified command post when they were needed and not when they weren't needed."

Holden said it's crucial to make sure the county's resources are being used responsibly. Though the holiday weekend may be over, eyes are already on next year's planning.

"We'll absolutely get together with each and every agency to discuss the improvements," Holden said. "We will discuss what we saw, what needs improvements, things like that, and then we will work throughout the year to get the after-action report which will be printed later this year."

Holden said the EOC focused on reminding people of traffic loop hours, and watching over social media and the SCDOT cameras to send notifications when needed.